NFYK16010U Particle Physics and the
Early Universe

The purpose of the course is for the students to understand the
basic theories of the modern cosmology: the theory of inflation,
the theory of the dark matter and the dark energy formation in
combination with the physics of the cosmological gravitation waves
and the black holes. The specific of the course is that in addition
to the modern theoretical approaches the students will have
practical experience with the data from operating space (the WMAP)
and planning (the PLANCK) experiments, and particle accelerators
data. This course is central for any later course or projects where
an understanding of the modern cosmology is required.

In the lectures, the basic principles of the modern field theory in
implementation to the fundamental problems of the modern cosmology
are taught. Then, it is explained how these principles are used in
the modern theory of inflation for explanation fundamental
properties of the space and time. Using the prediction of the
inflationary cosmology we will discuss the models of the dark
matter and the dark energy in the Universe, comming to the
observational tests. We will use the CMB data to understand the
observational status of the inflation and perform various
analytical and computation calculations , using object oriented
programming.

Skills
To achieve the goals of the course and exam the students should
know:

Basic principles of the Bing Bang theory. Classification of
epochs of the cosmological expansion.

Cosmological solutions for scalar factor for different
equations of state of the matter.

Motivation for Inflation. Basic equation of evolution of the
vacuum state of the matter in the Universe.

Solution of fundamental problems of the cosmology in the theory
of inflation ( initial conditions of inflation, particle horizon,
origin of the primordial perturbations, creation of matter due to
decay of inflaton)

Origin of the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB). Testing the
theory of inflation by the modern CMB experiments (the WMAP and the
PLANCK) .

Possible explanation of the origin of the Dark Matter and the
Dark Energy and corresponding uncertainties.

The grade 12 is given to a student who has shown clear
understanding of the theoretical and experimental aspects covered
in the course, independence and initiative during the exercises,
and has achieved all the goals mentioned above,
The grade 2 is given to a student who has achieved only minimally
the course.

Knowledge
The student will after the course know the basic theories of the
modern cosmology and high energy physics, and will have an
experience in the gravitational waves physics.

Competences
From practical exercises the student will have gained experience in
writing simple analytical and computational calculations and in
analyzing and visualizing real and simulated data with computers.
This course will provide the students with a competent background
for further studies within this research field, i.e. a M.Sc.
project.

Students will be provided, a few weeks before the exam, with a
set of questions regarding the topics of the course. The answer to
one of the topics of the course will constitute the basis of a 15
minutes presentation by the students, on the day of the
exam.